Sustainability at Eittem is rooted in restraint, longevity, and making fewer objects with greater care. Rather than scaling volume, we focus on building pieces that are meant to be maintained and preserved over decades.
Our handbags are made in limited numbers, entirely in-house in our Manhattan atelier. All our materials, except Alpine leather, are sourced entirely in the United States. Working locally and independently with American materials allows us to reduce unnecessary transport and maintain exceptional quality control at every step.
We work exclusively with American salvaged walnut, primarily rescued from within New York State. Instead of spraying harmful lacquer, we use water-based paint without solvents and apply it entirely by hand. Our metal materials, stainless steel and sterling silver, are inherently recyclable. Our leather is wet molded to fit precisely in the interiors, requiring minimal adhesive.
The atelier offers lifetime care of each Eittem, extending the life of materials already in circulation. Each handbag is crafted from solid wood rather than veneers or composites, often allowing surfaces to be refinished. The hand-molded leather interior can be replaced if need be. Hardware may be adjusted. Every piece is designed to be durable and enduring. This commitment to longevity is reinforced through archival records and the belief that the most sustainable object is one that remains valued and in use for generations.
